[News Brief] Apr 22, morning | Minneapolis Fed President Kashkari Says Consecutive Rate Hikes Possible if Middle East-Driven Inflation Reaccelerates

Minneapolis Fed President Kashkari Says Consecutive Rate Hikes Possible if Middle East-Driven Inflation Reaccelerates

Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said consecutive rate hikes could be necessary if inflation reaccelerates due to worsening tensions in the Middle East.

According to Odaily, Kashkari said in a written interview that “the next rate move could be a cut, or it could be a hike,” adding that the policy response could change depending on the path of inflation.

He explained that a key variable is whether the Strait of Hormuz reopens soon or remains effectively closed due to expanding damage to regional infrastructure. In the latter case, global energy shortages could intensify.

Kashkari said long-term inflation expectations among businesses and households could become unanchored, and that the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) may need to respond forcefully.

Brent Crude Rises Above $100 Intraday

According to Odaily, Brent crude prices climbed to an intraday high above $100 per barrel, based on Gate Data.

A sharp rise in international oil prices could increase inflationary pressure and affect rate expectations and risk appetite for risk assets.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Says It Is Effectively Controlling the Strait of Hormuz; 25 Commercial Vessels Passed Through

According to Odaily, the naval arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that 25 commercial vessels, including oil tankers and container ships, passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours after receiving authorization.

The Revolutionary Guard said the transits were carried out under naval coordination and security guarantees.

It also said it is controlling the Strait of Hormuz “effectively and authoritatively,” warning that any act of aggression would be met with a strong response.

The Strait of Hormuz is a key maritime route for Middle Eastern oil shipments, and any rising concern over transit security could affect energy prices and global risk sentiment.

U.S. Spot HYPE ETFs See $20.451 Million in Daily Net Inflows

U.S. spot HYPE ETFs recorded net inflows of $20,451,200 on May 26 (U.S. Eastern Time), according to PANews, citing SoSoValue data.

The largest inflow came from the Bitwise Hyperliquid ETF (BHYP). BHYP saw daily net inflows of $19,045,800, bringing cumulative net inflows to $55,002,500.

The 21Shares Hyperliquid ETF (THYP) recorded daily net inflows of $1,405,400, with cumulative net inflows reaching $44,004,700.

As of the time of reporting, total net assets of spot HYPE ETFs stood at $117 million, with a net asset ratio of 0.88% and cumulative net inflows of $95,361,000.

CME Launches AVAX and SUI Futures Contracts

CME Group has launched futures contracts for Avalanche (AVAX) and Sui (SUI) for investors, according to PANews.

The launch comes amid a broader trend of major exchanges expanding their altcoin derivatives offerings.

Whale Alert: 700 BTC Transferred From Anonymous Wallet to Coinbase

According to Whale Alert, 700 BTC worth about $53.82 million was transferred from an anonymous wallet to Coinbase at 00:13 KST on the 27th.

Large transfers to exchanges are often interpreted as a sign of potential selling, making them a short-term supply overhang worth watching.

ETH Falls Below $2,100

According to PANews, market data from OKX showed that Ethereum fell below the $2,100 level.

At the time of reporting, Ethereum was trading at $2,099.97, down 1.27% on the day.

Base Officially Launches MCP

Source: Odaily. Base has officially launched MCP. Users can connect their Base accounts to AI interfaces and use chat to swap assets, send funds, track portfolios, and participate in the Base ecosystem.

At launch, it supports Morpho, Moonwell, Aerodrome, Banker, Avantis, Virtuals, and Uniswap, and includes functions such as lending, swapping, and perpetual contracts.

Base MCP uses OAuth 2.1-based authentication, and any transaction requested by an AI agent must be directly confirmed or canceled by the user. Base said the MCP server does not hold or access users’ private keys.

Spain Orders PolyMarket and Kalshi to Halt Operations Nationwide

Spain’s gambling regulator has ordered prediction market platforms PolyMarket and Kalshi to halt operations nationwide.

PANews, citing The Block, reported that Spanish authorities initiated disciplinary proceedings against the two platforms for operating without authorization. The notice was published in Spain’s official gazette.

This measure was imposed as a precaution before the disciplinary process is concluded. The process is expected to take three to four months.

Spain classifies prediction market platforms that allow betting on uncertain future outcomes as gambling businesses. As such, operators must comply with obligations including identity verification, blocking minors’ access, and offering self-exclusion tools.

Strive Estimated to Have Bought More Than 260 BTC via SATA Preferred Shares

Bitcoin Magazine reported on the 26th that listed company Strive is estimated to have purchased more than 260 BTC through its SATA preferred shares.

Strive is considered one of the companies actively accumulating Bitcoin, similar to Strategy led by Michael Saylor.